Photography Career Description
Photographers use digital and/or film cameras, lenses, and photo editing equipment to create images that tell a story. A photographer's images can be used to sell products for businesses, illustrate or emphasize newsworthy events, or can exist as fine art to convey the photographer's vision. A photographer must have not only a good eye, but also the technical knowledge to understand how to capture an image in a way that conveys the intent or meaning required.
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Specialties
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Photographers usually specialize in a particular area of photography. Portrait photographers specialize in taking portraits of people that can be used for personal or commercial use. Fashion photographers specialize in taking photos of the latest fashions for magazines. Commercial photographers take photos of various subjects for commercial use. There are several possible specialties within commercial photography specialty including product photography (creating images needed for catalogs), architectural photography (creating interior and exterior images of buildings), and food photography (capturing images of food for restaurants) among others. In addition to specializing, some photographers also taking images known as "stock" images which can be licensed by individuals for use in a wide variety of ways.
Training and Education
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Formal education is not mandatory for a career in photography, but vocational or college training is one route to gain the technical proficiency needed. Training programs can include courses on how to use cameras and lenses, design and composition, and how to use the photo editing software necessary to process digital images. Another training route for would-be photographers is to become a photographer's assistant. Assistants help experienced photographers in scheduling shoots, coordinating models and products, acquiring clients, and otherwise managing the business. This provides up-and-coming photographers with the opportunity to directly learn the skills they need to run their own photography business.
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Skills
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A career in photography requires several skills in addition to technical proficiency in using a camera. While some photographers are employed by companies, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over half are self-employed. To be successful business owners, photographers must understand basic business practices like creating a business plan, marketing, and bookkeeping. Photographers should also have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be comfortable interacting with a variety of people. Diplomacy and relationship building skills are mandatory because a photographer's success in booking new jobs depends on their ability to network and interact with clients (like graphic designers and art directors), models, and other vendors.
Earnings
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According to Payscale, Inc., a global salary research firm, the medium income for salaried photographers in 2010 is approximately $35,000. Based on Payscale Inc.'s research, fashion photographers earn the highest income, with a median average of approximately $48,000 and photojournalist earn the lowest salary, with an average median income of approximately $30,000. Self employed and contract photographers earned a median income of around $41,000. On average earnings for photographers grow with experience, with entry level photographers (zero to four years experience) earning an average salary of $31,000 and expert photographers (ten or more years of experience) earning a median salary between $44,000 to $50,000.
Industry Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for photographers is supposed to grow as fast as the average for all jobs, which is about seven to 13 percent. Photography is a very competitive industry, however, so anyone seeking to enter the field should be prepared to work very hard to differentiate themselves from the large number of competitors. Photographers who keep up with and incorporate new technology as it becomes available will have an advantage over those who do not.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit old camera image by Rich Johnson from Fotolia.com
